| Growing Pleione Orchids |
Pleione - pronounced - play ownyAlpine/Cool
Growing
3 - 7 C (39 - 45F) Alpine Types
7C - 10C (45 - 50F) Cool Types max 24C (75F) in summer
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Pleione are a small group of around 25 cool and alpine growing
orchids mostly from China, Northern India, Thailand and Nepal
and naturally grow close to the snow line at the edges of woods
and forests. They are semi epiphytic and can be found growing
on or around the bases of trees and in leaf litter. Closely
allied to Coelogyne the flowers are large, delicately coloured
and exotic looking.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE PLEIONE ORCHIDS |
They are all deciduous and need a rest during the winter at which
time the round squat bulbs should be stored either in their dry
compost or removed for storage. The flowers of Pleione typically
develop before the leaves.
Light requirements
Pleione like good light during the growing season and can
be left out doors during the summer or grown close to the
glass if grown indoors. During the winter resting period they
can be placed on a shelf in the greenhouse or a cool room
with diffused light.
RIGHT: Pleione 'Fuego' is a hybrid between P. formosana x
P. bulbocodioides and flowers in the spring
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Watering requirements
Pleione like moist compost during the growing season which is between
February and October, during this time they should be watered every
week (starting sparingly until established) using clean fresh
water. From October through the following April the compost should
be allowed to dry out completely.As mentioned earlier Pleione are
deciduous and will require a rest during the winter.
Feeding requirements
The plants are moderate feeders and a balanced plant food can be
applied from April to August at 1/4 the pack recommendation given
every third watering. During late August and September you should
change to a higher potash feed (again at 1/4 strength) which
will encourage the new bulbs to ripen in readiness for the rest
period. Feeding should cease by October and no more should be given
until the following spring (March) at which time normal feeding
can resume.
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LEFT: This shows the difference between the new types of
growth. The one on the left shows a growth that will develop
in to leaves and wont flower this year, the one on the right
shows a more bullet shaped growth which indicates it will
be a flower that emerges, new roots can just be seen starting
to emerge and the bulbs need planting now.
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Re-potting schedule and compost
Pleione are naturally semi epiphytic and can be grown either in
a pot or a shallow pan. The compost mix used should consist of equal
parts loam, sphagnum moss and medium grade orchid compost, this
will provide good drainage and moisture retentiveness. Pleione should
be re potted every year in fresh compost either before flowering
or just after, this depends on the variety grown but generally around
January. The rounded bulbs do not need burying in the compost but
should be allowed to rest on the surface of it or at the most just
have the very base pushed slightly in to it for stability.
Because they will have no roots at this time they may need some
for of support until roots are established in the compost. Here
are a few commonly grown species, if in doubt grow them in cool
conditions rather than alpine.
| Name |
Temperature |
Flowering |
Colour |
| Pleione formosana |
Alpine/Cool |
April/May |
Pale Rose & Cream |
| Pleione forrestii |
Alpine/Cool |
March/May |
Primrose Yellow, red markings |
| Pleione hookeriana |
Cool |
March/April |
White with purple/yellow blothes |
| Pleione humilis |
Cool |
December/February |
White with Rose Spots |
| Pleione maculata |
Cool |
Sept/October |
White, Blotched Lip |
| Pleione praecox (lagenaria) |
Cool |
June/October |
Rose/Purple, Paler Lip |
Propagation Pleiones produce numerous small bulbs around the
base of the old bulb or around the 'scar' formed when the leaves fall,
these should be potted up in trays and will be flowering size by the
second year. |
| CURRENTLY AVAILABLE PLEIONE ORCHIDS |
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Pleione